Something about the way that Miss Jo says that, you can hear them at night, makes Kate shiver. Just a little, a tensing of her back and forearms, a prickling down her spine.

It's a knowing, matter of fact way. Maybe it means nothing more than 'that's when you can hear them', but she's frightened and words seem heavy with meaning like in a play.

"Well," Kate says, her chin coming up a little. "It can't be any worse than hearin' possums squabblin' away. I'll try not to assume that there's bunyips or goblins out there."